I saw that the second edition of the base game still can be found in some retailers.

The questions is:- Is it better to:a) buy the actual version of the base game;b) buy the actual version of the base game with the Climate conversion kit;c) wait for a reprint of the base game (not Climate) with the different components and texts on cards;d) wait for a reprint of the Climate base game.

The base game of evolution is the 'simple' version of the game (if you don't count beginnings which I don't). Climate just adds more options and gives you more 'control' over the flow of the game. I personally prefer Climate over Base + Flight, but all are good for their own reasons.

Also Flight + Climate don't mix in a balanced manner unless you leave out all the flight cards so I'd view this as an either/or. Depends on when you need the gift by as for which one I'd pick up. If time isn't an issue I would personally wait for Climate. You get a bigger hand size and can mess with the climate some which can mess up your opponents.

The base game of evolution is the 'simple' version of the game (if you don't count beginnings which I don't). Climate just adds more options and gives you more 'control' over the flow of the game. I personally prefer Climate over Base + Flight, but all are good for their own reasons.

Also Flight + Climate don't mix in a balanced manner unless you leave out all the flight cards so I'd view this as an either/or. Depends on when you need the gift by as for which one I'd pick up. If time isn't an issue I would personally wait for Climate. You get a bigger hand size and can mess with the climate some which can mess up your opponents.

Thanks Chris,

I have a planned flight to the US this April. It would be a great time to buy the game, but I think Climate won't be available by then... I don't know when he wants to give the present. Probably he'll have to stay.

Is there any other biology strategy game that could be bought in this US trip while we wait for the Climate arrival?

Depends on your budget/time, but all are enjoyable. Start him off with Evolution and if they dig it pick up the conversion kit later to get Climate as time allows. Evolution + Climate Conversion kit is identical in every way to Evolution Climate.

There is a ton of text so I hope the fiancée can read english as all editions are heavily text dependent.

I saw that the second edition of the base game still can be found in some retailers.

The questions is:- Is it better to:a) buy the actual version of the base game;b) buy the actual version of the base game with the Climate conversion kit;c) wait for a reprint of the base game (not Climate) with the different components and texts on cards;d) wait for a reprint of the Climate base game.

Is the flight expansion a must have?

Thanks!

The improvements to the text on the cards is minimal. Our goal was to systematize the format and create keywords which enable players to figure out the interactions between different cards without going to the reference section in the rules. The old trait text was probably easier to understand for casual gamers, but it was not possible to figure out the interactions between cards without going to the rules. The new trait text uses keywords. Both version are fantastically playable, so I wouldn't get too caught up on the differences. The game play is exactly the same.

Here is a unboxing video for the new Evolution that will be released at a lower price point. That might help you decide which version you prefer:

I saw that the second edition of the base game still can be found in some retailers.

The questions is:- Is it better to:a) buy the actual version of the base game;b) buy the actual version of the base game with the Climate conversion kit;c) wait for a reprint of the base game (not Climate) with the different components and texts on cards;d) wait for a reprint of the Climate base game.

Is the flight expansion a must have?

Thanks!

The improvements to the text on the cards is minimal. Our goal was to systematize the format and create keywords which enable players to figure out the interactions between different cards without going to the reference section in the rules. The old trait text was probably easier to understand for casual gamers, but it was not possible to figure out the interactions between cards without going to the rules. The new trait text uses keywords. Both version are fantastically playable, so I wouldn't get too caught up on the differences. The game play is exactly the same.

Here is a unboxing video for the new Evolution that will be released at a lower price point. That might help you decide which version you prefer:

The differences between print runs has been greatly exaggerated here on the BGG. I doubt 99.9% of people who own the game would realize it if I secretly changed their cards to a different print run version.

We've already reprinted CLIMATE. I forget when they arrive in our warehouse but they should hit stores around the same time as the less expensively priced Evolution.

The differences between print runs has been greatly exaggerated here on the BGG. I doubt 99.9% of people who own the game would realize it if I secretly changed their cards to a different print run version.

We've already reprinted CLIMATE. I forget when they arrive in our warehouse but they should hit stores around the same time as the less expensively priced Evolution.

Thanks again. Last question (I'm a journalist, that could explain the amount of doubts): what should be the retail prices of the lowered prices evolution and climate?

Both Evolution and Evolution: Climate are masterpieces. Everything I want in a family gaming experience... and I rate both games a 10.

The base game deserves just as high a rating as Climate because I view one as just a variation of the other. The base game reminds me of Tigris and Euphrates in depth in that I know it can support hundreds of plays and there will be something different each time. Dominic has written a lot about the subtleties required to beat the really great players, and that kind of stuff just stokes the fire.

I’ll gladly play either version anytime, but I guess my point is that I don't view the base game as inferior in any way. I'll re-evaluate when I get in hundreds of plays.

I agree with everything written above (Rex’s post in particular), but I just wanted to chime in to say folks, don’t underrate and underestimate The Beginning! It’s an equally superb iteration of the Evolution Game System.

Obviously it’s a scaled-down and streamlined version, as per the designer’s intention; but it’s in no way watered-down. It’s a legit Evolution experience. It’s simplified (a good thing), not simplistic (a bad thing). Though in part conceived as a stepping-stone introduction, and a successful one at that, to its older brothers, The Beginning is absolutely a game that Evolution vets can respect and dig in its own right.

And Rex is right to call both Evolution and Climate masterpieces. I’m careful not to throw around words like “masterwork,” but both have earned the distinction. Climate in particular, given its epic (and topical) scope. You start with one single 1/1 species, but by game’s end Climate has swept you through an epoch-spanning narrative. Awesome, in both senses of the word.

I agree with everything written above (Rex’s post in particular), but I just wanted to chime in to say folks, don’t underrate and underestimate The Beginning! It’s an equally superb iteration of the Evolution Game System.

Obviously it’s a scaled-down and streamlined version, as per the designer’s intention; but it’s in no way watered-down. It’s a legit Evolution experience. It’s simplified (a good thing), not simplistic (a bad thing). Though in part conceived as a stepping-stone introduction, and a successful one at that, to its older brothers, The Beginning is absolutely a game that Evolution vets can respect and dig in its own right.

Agreed! I got my daughter (then 9) The Beginning at Christmas; she loves it and prodded me to trade for Evolution and Flight in January. We haven't decided whether to get the CLIMATE conversion kit or the standalone once it's out again: I know we'll get one or the other soon. But all of the three variations we've played are incredibly fun, and we enjoy the different options. (Sad truth: she introduced The Beginning to friends at a game night, but is now unwilling to bring it out to play with people outside the family. It's too precious to her! A little awkward for me, since the friends have been asking to play it again....)

North Star Games designs party games that don't suck! Play them with your non-gamer friends over the holidays.

First there was Hearts, then there was Spades, and now we bring you Clubs. The suit of clubs finally gets some respect!

Colls wrote:

(Sad truth: she introduced The Beginning to friends at a game night, but is now unwilling to bring it out to play with people outside the family. It's too precious to her! A little awkward for me, since the friends have been asking to play it again....)

Send me a geekmail. I'll send your daughter a free copy of The Beginning. Her friends deserve to play!

North Star Games designs party games that don't suck! Play them with your non-gamer friends over the holidays.

First there was Hearts, then there was Spades, and now we bring you Clubs. The suit of clubs finally gets some respect!

Colls wrote:

Grateful email sent, along with her idea for a version/expansion!

Just responded to your geekmail, and in the process noticed that you live a few minutes from our office! Would love to have you guys over for a playtest session sometime. We test games every Friday at 2pm.